Biblical Sexuality: Marriage, Gender Identity, Transgender, and Pornography Part One
In this study, I will discuss the issues of marriage, gender identity, transgender issues and pornography. I am indebted to Christopher J. Gordon and his booklet, “The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality '' published in 2022. There have been times in church history that a catechism method has been used to convey truths about our Christian faith. A catechism is a question and answer method used to teach religious doctrine. The Heidelberg Catechism published in 1563 begins: “I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful savior Jesus Christ.” The Reformation was a tumultuous time. The catechism was used to help guide people to know the truth about the Christian faith. Today, we are living in tumultuous times. There is a need for teaching on Biblical sexuality. Many (in this context “many '' means “most”) Pastors are afraid to speak the truth, don’t know the truth, or they are hirelings afraid to lose their job and paycheck. However, as always, there is a remnant that is willing to take the fire that comes from speaking the truth. This study will address the questions on what is marriage? How many genders are there and can you change yours? Can you be a believer and watch pornography?
Part 1: Creation
Q. How many sexes did God make at creation?
God made two sexes at creation; “in the image of God, He created them, male and female, He created them.”
Genesis 1: 26-27; 2:18, 21-23; 5:2; Matthew 19: 4-5; Mark 10: 6-7
Q. Why did God make us male and female in His image?
That we might use all of the excellent qualities (Psalm 8: 3-9) with which He made us (100:3), in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4: 23-24), in body and soul (1 Thessalonians 5: 23), as male and female, for His glory as we exercise dominion over the earth (Genesis 1: 26-27; Psalm 8: 3-9).
Q. Can we make a distinction between biological sex (the sex assigned at birth) and gender (what we identify as emotionally) in search of our identity?
No. God established a natural order in the creation of male and female, that is good for us as image bearers of God. (Genesis 1: 26-31; 9:6; Psalm 8: 3-8; James 3:9) To introduce gender as a new category of personhood, separate from the biological category of sex, in pursuit of a different sexual identity, is unnatural to the creation order, and harmful to the purpose for which God made us. (Genesis 1: 31; Psalm 100: 3; Romans 1: 21-27)
Q. Does God permit us to change our sex?
Certainly not (Leviticus 18: 21-19: 28; Deuteronomy 23: 1; Psalm 51: 3-6).To reverse how God created us as male and female, due to fallen, unchosen thoughts and self perceptions would be an act of rebellion, (Colossians 3: 5; 1 Thessalonians 4: 5) and a gross distortion of God's creative handiwork in specifically forming us for His glory. (Genesis 2:7, 22; Psalm 100:3) Further, in the New Jerusalem, any genital mutiliation, or confusion over sexual orientation identity, will be restored in our new resurrection bodies. Therefore, we should not change our sex since God promises to glorify our bodies, in everlasting happiness, as He created us male and female, in the final resurrection. God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14: 33-40). God is the author of peace. Satan is the one who brings confusion. Any confusion over sexual identity lies with Satan, not God.
Q. What is marriage?
The holy bond of marriage was instituted by God at the very beginning of creation. God created marriage to be a lifelong, monogamous covental union between one man and one woman. (Proverbs 2:17; Mark 10: 6-9; Ephesians 5: 25-32)
Q. Does the Lord permit sexual intimacy outside of marriage?
No. Scripture teaches that marriage is the only acceptable context for sexual union. Further, God calls us to live decent and chaste lives within or outside the holy state of marriage. (Genesis 2: 21-24; Exodus 20: 14; 1 Corinthians 7: 1-2; Ephesians 5: 3-5; Hebrews 13:4)
Q. Does God permit same-sex marriage?
Absolutely not. God ordained marriage only between a man and a woman for life. (Genesis 2: 24; Leviticus 18: 22; Matthew 19:5; Mark 7: 21; Romans 1: 24-32; 1 Corinthian 6:9; Ephesians 5: 31) Governments do not have the authority to change marriage into something contrary to what God instituted at creation. (Acts 5: 28-29; Romans 13: 1-2)
Part II: Fall
Q. With what lie did Satan tempt our first parents in the garden?
Satan lied about the goodness of God’s creation order. He presented God as restrictive and oppressive, and our first parents chose to sin through the desire to become their own gods and define their own way. (Genesis 3: 1-7; John 8: 44; 1 John 2: 22)
Q. Isn’t there a difference between temptation and the practice of evil desires?
God requires that we avoid entering into all forms of temptation. (Matthew 6: 13) Temptation is not sin when it originates outside of us. (Genesis 39: 6-12; Matthew 4: 1-10) Temptation becomes sin when we entertain and welcome the sinful desires of our hearts and act upon them. (Genesis 3: 6; 4: 6-8; 2 Kings 5: 20-27)
Q. What kinds of sinful desires and deeds does God’s law condemn?
Christ teaches us this in summary in Matthew 15: 18-20: “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from his heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.
Q. Will God permit our sinful desires to go unpunished?
Certainly not. He is terribly angry with our sinful desires, as well as our actual sins. God will punish every idle thought, careless word, or wicked action by a just judgment both now and in eternity. (Matthew 12: 35-37; Romans 1: 18-32; 2: 16; Revelation 20: 11-15) The Bible declares: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5: 10)
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